BLT owners - I have a question for you About This Page:

[Dreaming of DisneyWorld]

If you own at BLT, do you regret buying there? Do you still love it there? I have read reviews of BLT in three different places since we will be staying there on points this fall. I am shocked at the number of negative reviews, especially knowing the level of service we've come to expect at Disney and since we are so very excited to stay there!

I am fairly certain most of the extremely negative reviews are from those paying with cash. They were complaining about check-ins and access to the Lounge, etc. But, a common theme among all of the negatives (cash or points guests) is the cleanliness and Mousekeeping. Is that really an issue there? Have any of you been witness to this? I read some pretty gross stuff (no clean sheets, towels/sheets piled up, dirty dishes, sofa soaking wet/stained).

Another big negative I've read is the size of the Studio rooms. Thank goodness, we're in a 1-bedroom, but I cannot imagine the studios are any smaller there than at AKV- Jambo. That makes me wonder what some of the guests were expecting.

I guess what I'm asking is, "Should I be concerned?" I trust my fellow DVC owners' opinions.

[rella]

I'm wondering the same thing......My DD, DSiL and DGS (Luke's 1st visit to WDW) are staying there (1 br with MK view) with my DVC points....I too, have read a lot of negative reviews...especially about not being able to visit lounge unless you're the DVC "owner" or staying with the owner (I am not going).. Are they be able to use it ? .....so....Should we be concerned?

[aliceinwdw]

DH and I both own at BLT and have stayed there once since buying in -- not because of a lack of interest or from not liking it, but simply because we're enjoying getting to stay around property at the other resorts we wouldn't normally be able to afford if paying OOP.

That being said, the first thing I have to say about anyone complaining about the cleanliness of a room is call housekeeping and/or the front desk manager! I'm not saying this forcibly to you (LOL!), I'm just saying this to anyone who encounters issues with their rooms at Disney. Housekeeping, the front desk, the managers; it's their job to keep the resort up and running and dirty rooms, wet furniture, etc. are their responsibility to maintain.

Although, there are times when even they can drop the ball. For example, DH and I were "stuck" in a room at BWV our last trip after water flooded our carpeted foyer/entryway because there were no more rooms available in our category; i.e. a Studio, for us to be moved to! I guess even if a 1-bedroom was available, we weren't able to be moved to it either. However, no one would tell what was available other than the initial "Sorry." Add to that, a manager never once came up to our room to inspect it, never followed-up with us after housekeeping and engineering were sent up to clean up the water -- even after the problem wasn't resolved after our first (and continuing to) reporting it, etc. But, when I got home, you bet I wrote a letter to DVC MS and to Guest Relations (just to be sure someone got it ), and we had points refunded! But that is a very rare instance of bad service and, which is my point , can happen anywhere.

Ok, hopping off soapbox! LOL

All of that being said, we actually found that the service and prompt responsiveness of the BLT staff to be excellent. I needed assistance while we were in our Studio (I'll spare you the details of my freakishness! ), and we received help right away. The manager came up as well, and I didn't even have to ask. The problem turned out to be nothing, but they were there and never once made me feel silly for calling them and they never complained or acted put out by my asking them to come up.

As far as the size of the Studio, yes, it's super small-feeling by comparison to the other Studios simply because of the layout (and no the AKL-Jambo Value Studios feel quite larger). However, I now have a new found appreciation for the configuration having been at the Studios around property.

The kitchenette in the BLT Studio is actually built into the room (so it's perpendicular to the outside wall creating a sort of inside room) and thus takes up a lot of square footage within the room itself whereas the Studios elsewhere all have the kitchenette built along the outer wall (i.e. parallel to it) and allows for a more open floorplan.

The reason I say I now appreciate this inner "room" is because I don't get up early on vacation. I'm not rushing off to every rope drop, etc. So, in the mornings, the hallway noise from everyone else heading out for the day can be intrusive in the rooms with a wide open layout because there's nothing to really block or absorb the noise filtering in. The BLT rooms, however, have just that with the bathroom and the kitchenette area filtering the hallway commotion! Definitely a nice way to look at that less-than-preferred design of the BLT rooms! (Well, if you're like me, that is!)

The 1-bedrooms, on the other hand, actually have a very open layout and it's wonderful! Without any sort of half wall creating the counter/sink/room division between the kitchen and the living/dining area, but instead just having the island, it makes the room feel ginormous! I think it'd be very spacious for a larger family, etc. Plus, having the shared balcony with the bedroom (vs. a balcony for each room) adds all of the space into the living room as well.

I think you'll be very happy with your choice!

But, if I have to add one negative, my only complaint thus far has actually been with Disney and not the resort itself -- and it has to do with the fact that monorail has had the shortened hours, even for the guests "paying" a premium to stay at a deluxe resort in this area; i.e. a monorail resort. Needless to say, this has chafed me a bit. I'm hoping that once they're done with the maintenance that has supposedly caused this change in operating hours, that the service returns to "normal." That being said, however, out of all the resorts near the MK, BLT (and the Contemporary) are the best because of their sheer proximity to the park! Walking takes about 5-10 minutes, depending on the walker, and this is a major bonus! No lines for an overcrowded bus or monorail, etc.; just a quick stroll (yes a little more walking), but I think a well-worth-it bit of more walking!

So, now that I'm done with my novel of an answer, I hope you feel better about your choice to stay there! Again, I think you'll really enjoy it -- and if you don't or something isn't Disney-esque, let them know so they can fix it!

[disneydeva]

We are owners at BLT and I don't regret it a bit. We have never had an issue with housekeeping. We did have a issue with check in, but it was a complicated issue with multiple rooms so I don't really blame the front desk. I loved the pool area and being so close to MK is to dye for. Yes it is a different experience than other resorts, but that is the beauty of it.

[LLaffinPlace]

I have no regrets having BLT as my home resort. I have stayed there several times and all was as it should be each time as far as cleanliness and appointments.

The staff was friendly and very helpful. Last December we had a reunion with friends and I engaged Private Dining for food trays (cheese, fruit, veggie, and seafood) and a cake. We needed gluten free, and they took substantial precautions to satisfy our needs, especially with preventing cross contamination. Delivery was promptly as i had requested, and they provided cloth napkins and silverware.

The next day when we checked out I had a poorly secured unopened bottle of wine fall and shatter on the first floor corridor. I don't think 15 seconds went by before there were two Cast Members there putting up a Wet Floor sign and starting to mop things up. I of course apologized profusely and offered to mop and get up the glass, but they had none of it and just wanted to make sure we were okay. And these CMs were dressed in coat and tie.

When we checked in the last time, we got to the room and I very much wanted some ice water, so I grabbed the ice bucket and took the top off to put in the plastic liner, and there was a mouse made out of a washcloth! Cute and very funny!

I have been in a Studio but have not stayed in one. We have stayed in a two bedroom, a Grand Villa, and a one bedroom, respectively. The GV (it was for one night) was an absolute palace, and the others felt very large. I am torn between Lake View and Theme Park View; the former is downright tranquil and a nice contrast with the frenetic parks, while the latter is great for watching fireworks and the beauty of the resort and the MK lit up at night. The one bedroom had two full baths, the two bedroom had three, and the GV had four (!).

Access to the MK is great, as is the access to the other monorail resorts. I love the ride to Epcot on the monorail. I alo enjoy the proximity to the Wilderness Lodge and easy access via the boats.

[DVC Mike]

I bought at BLT when it first went on sale (before it was completed) and have no regrets. In fact, it is my favorite DVC resort (BWV is my #2). I have added on more BLT points as well.

To me, you can't beat the location and the views.

[chezp]

We don't own at Bay Lake Tower, but we've stayed there twice since it opened. We went back the second time, because we both loved the stay there first time around. We've stayed in a studio and found it fine for our needs. it's not as big as some of the other studios on Disney property, but so long as you know that in advance, then you won't be disappointed by that.

I can honestly say we've had no issues with cleanliness during our stays there and if I did have any such issues anywhere, trust me, I wouldn't hesitate to say something to management to get that resolved.

[Goofy's Gal]

We own at BLT and really like the resort. My daughter's favorite to be exact. That said we did have a few issues on our first stay there.

The housekeeping was a bit off. We found that the common areas to clean (i.e. bathroom, kitchen, sheets...etc) were well cleaned, but other ares were lacking...for example in the hall of the 1-bedroom we had a thick layer of dust on a shelf. Also, there were several maintenance issues. Part of the entertainment center fell apart, sorry don't recall exactly what was wrong. Also, the dryer was broken...the sensor which turns it off when the clothes are dry was not working. The first load of laundry was 'drying' all night as it would not turn off. The only thing else was a general appearance of being worn out.

All in all the location, convenience and the view were more than worth it and we will go back...as soon as we have sampled some of the other DVC resorts.

[DVCjulie09]

Although I can't offer an opinion on mousekeeping or maintenance as October 2012 will be our first stay at BLT, I can't see ever regretting the primo location or the 51 years of vacation points. We love hanging out at the Contemporary anyway, so why not own there?

[Dreaming of DisneyWorld]

Originally Posted by DVCjulie09

Although I can't offer an opinion on mousekeeping or maintenance as October 2012 will be our first stay at BLT, I can't see ever regretting the primo location or the 51 years of vacation points. We love hanging out at the Contemporary anyway, so why not own there?

Looks like we'll be there at the same time. We arrive in 176 days!

[Lumieregirl]

BLT is our home resort & we're quite happy with our purchase. We were there last week. There were a few wrinkles:
We did see that the furnishings, walls, etc seemed more scuffed/worn than they should for such a new resort. Let's hope when its time for a refurb, Disney will make better furnishing choices.
Check-In - Despite doing online checkin, the process was very long and the clerk had to ask numerous questions of us and her manager. Thsi was for a 2-night points stay in a studio. Should be short and sweet. Perhaps she was new & this was an isolated incident. We've done online checkin twice in teh past and simply picked up our welcome package at other resorts.
Bell Services - as we pulled up in the car, they approached & said we'd have the luggage about 20 minutes once we called from our room. Over 2 hours and 3 anxious phone calls later, we finally got our luggage, nearly missing our dinner reservation. We'd hoped to change clothes and walk around the resort and the lounge with those 2 hours

That said, the layout of the studio with the kitchen being its own room as opposed to in the hallway was nice as I was able to putz around in there without waking DH.

We love the Top of the World Lounge - a real treat.

The 10-min walk to MK - priceless !!!

The studio size would be small if you were using the pull-out sofa but for the 2 ofus it was fine. In fact, in larger rooms, it seems we tend to spread our stuff out and be more messy.

Overall we had a great time and teh room was clean, the bed very comfy and I heard no noise from neighbors. Over the next 40-ish years, the tiny problems are just that. It is such a great feeling to me to know that we'll be able to calmly walk to/from MK for years to come. And having the wonderful restaurants of all the monorail resorts so accessible is a big bonus for us. After a nice meal, it is so nice to walk or monorail back rather than deal with traffic.

[HakunaMatata]

BLT is our home resort - we bought before it was completed and have no regrets! We have stayed there 3 times since we joined DVC. The only reason we don't stay at BLT even more often is because we are trying to conserve points until we can add on more points: we will soon need a 2BR but have been able to stay at a 1BR comfortably with our family of 5 at BLT or Kidani. We love BLT!